dyton mupawaenda
Freeman Razemba–Senior Reporter
Road rehabilitation in and around Harare by the Government, including the construction of access roads in the Mount Hampden area and the new 6km boulevard that stretches from Solomon Mutswairo Road (formerly Golden Stairs) to the New Parliament Building ahead of the 2024 SADC Summit to be held in Harare in August, are within the set timelines.
The Second Republic has put infrastructure development on top of its agenda and attention has been directed towards road rehabilitation and construction.
The Government, through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, recently accelerated road construction and maintenance works for the main highways.
A local contractor, Bitumen World, which is conducting the works around Mount Hampden, is on site, constructing about 13km of the Old Mazowe Road from Westgate roundabout and is expected to complete all the roads by July 31 this year.
The Chairman Mao Boulevard stretches from Solomon Mutswairo Road straight to the New Parliament Building. It will have eight lanes – four on each side – and all this will be done by mid-year.
The upgrading of a new single bridge along the Old Mazowe Road to four lanes is also underway, while a temporary bridge is under construction on one of the access roads.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed that progress as being made on constructing the roads.
“Surfacing work on Boulevard Road is now complete, covering 5,7km of road surface and four lanes of traffic. The next steps include final clearing and beautification, installation of street lighting, construction of ducts and road markings and vertical signs installation.”
The ministry said there was progress on the Old Mazowe Road reconstruction, with the final stage of road markings now underway from Westgate traffic circle to Gwebi River Bridge.
The project highlights include 12,5m total road width, 3,75m lane width and a 2,5m shoulder width.
“On Harare Drive to Bindura junction, we have made some improvements to ease traffic flow by widening the junction by removing some islands, added a left slip lane from Mazowe and we are working on the transition section along Bindura Road while maintaining a relief road for congestion.
“The police are providing dedicated support for the junction and we are enhancing the detour through Mt Pleasant Heights,” the ministry said.
Last week, the ministry also notified motorists about traffic disruptions following the closure of Sam Nujoma Extension.
Solomon Mutswairo Road, the furthest extension of Sam Nujoma Road will be closed from Nemakonde Way to Harare Drive, effective from midnight on June 7 to June 30 2024.
This closure is to facilitate the construction of a dual carriageway by Exodus and Company and Ncube Burrow, the contractors for the Harare-Mvurwi-Guruve-Kanyemba Road.
“During this period, motorists approaching Harare Drive from Mazowe-Bindura Road are urged to use the following detour routes: Harare Drive-Alpes Road-Churchill Avenue-ED Mnangagwa Road-Robert Mugabe Road; or Harare Drive-Alpes Road-Churchill Avenue-Sam Nujoma Street-East Road-Cork Road-Leopold Takawira Street. Traffic originating from the city centre for Mazowe should use the following detour routes: Samora Machel Avenue-ED Mnangagwa Road-Churchill Avenue-College/Alpes Road-Harare Drive; or use Leopold Takawira Street-Cork Road-East Road-Sam Nujoma Street-Churchill Avenue-College/Alpes Road-Harare Drive.
The ministry said several roads in Mount Pleasant area would remain open for local traffic: Sikwili Moyo Street (formerly The Chase), Twickenham Drive, Pendennis Road and Charles Dauramanzi Road (formerly) Upper East Road.
Laying of pavers and surfacing from the tollgate to the New Parliament Building roundabout along the Harare-Mazowe Road is currently underway as great progress is being made on this project to improve road networks and enhance connectivity.
Along Solomon Mujuru Drive (formerly Kirkamn Drive) reconstruction is progressing with priming underway from Presidential Guard to Harare-Gweru Road.
Asphalt application is also underway on Vitalis Zvinavashe Road (ex-Dieppe Road) from the Sorting Office to Chiremba Road, giving a smooth new layer, while the main Crowhill Road upgrade and rehabilitation is nearing completion in northern Borrowdale
The ministry said asphalt overlay has been completed from Borrowdale Road to Luna and the next steps to be done is the final clearing which is in progress and road markings.
Ripping is also currently underway on Braeside Road from Chiremba Road to Mukuvisi River (behind OK Mart).
In other areas, the construction of base is currently in progress on the Marondera-Hwedza upgrading road project.
As part of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, this project aims to improve road infrastructure and facilitate economic growth
Surfacing is also currently underway on the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road reconstruction.
A Harare resident who only identified himself as Happy said, “It’s commendable. Keep on the good thing. One cannot realise this milestone unless one is the beneficiaries or the road user. Looking forward to its (Solomon Mujuru Road) completion.”
Another Harare resident, Mr Kudzai Choto, applauded the minister for making their neighbourhood a world class and urged him to also extend the rehabilitation project to Carrick Creagh Road and Quinnington Road.
Online Reporter